With the ICC Cricket World Cup of 2019 in England and Wales looming large, former England batsman – Ian Bell has given his opinion about the teams who should be labeled as red hot contenders to claim that prestigious trophy.

Bell has backed England as favorites of the tournament given the kind of form that they are in and the home advantage that they’ll be receiving in the tournament.

“I think people are saying they [England] are the favorites and rightly so. The 50-over cricket they have played over the last three years has been outstanding,” Bell was quoted saying.

But Ian Bell believes  that India and Pakistan are also the two cricketing nations who have it in them to pack a punch in the forthcoming World even, given the armory they have in their locker.

India and Pakistan both have won the ICC Champions Trophy in England in the past, and their experience will do them a world of good in the time to come.

“It’s going to be an exciting tournament but, as we saw in the ICC Champions Trophy last year, Pakistan is a very dangerous side with lots and lots of match-winners and exciting players in their team. India, as they always are at World Cups, are going to be very strong,” he further added.

“I think it will be a very interesting tournament but, for me at the minute, I would be looking at either England, Pakistan or India to go all the way,” England’s one of the most classical batsmen concluded.